Question
my husband bought me an orchid for valentines day its an already potted orchid Ive never owned one before so I read the directions it said not to put in direct sunlight so i had it in my room by a window but not indirect sunlight and it died one stem is fully brown the other is still alittle green there is no more flower!! and at one point the moss smelled like mildew alittle can it be saved?? what do you recommend I do and what advice can you give me as far as temperature and sunlight??

Answer
Genelle, thanks for your question.  I'll assume that you have a phalaenopsis or moth orchid and the "stems" are flower spikes.  Depending upon the type of hybrid, the old flower spikes either stay green or die back.  Since one flower spike has already died back, it is fair to assume that the other one will eventually do the same.  You may cut these off near where they join the plant. In future years, at this time of year, new flower spikes should appear.  In the meantime, care of your plant is important to ensure a healthy plant and reblooming.

Moss tends to compact over time, restricting air flower at the root zone and a stagnant potting mix which can rot away the roots. You need to repot your plant after you obtain some new, fresh orchid potting mix.  This will, in all likelihood, be a mix of fir bark, perlite, and other ingredients that retian some moisture while allowing air movement.  When you unpot your plant in preparation for repotting rinse off the roots thoroughly and cut off any mushy roots as they are dead.  Healthy roots are firm. A plastic pot with lots of air holes in the bottom is preferable.  Soak the fresh potting mix before use as the fir bark repels water when it is fresh.  This is a houseplant and prefers temperatures 60-80 degrees and a location that gets morning sunlight or equivalent.

Hope you enjoy your plant and watching it put out new growth in preparation for next spring's flowering.  Feel free to contact me if any further questions arise.